Pennsylvania Broker of Record: Real Estate Brokerage Guide

Pennsylvania supervising broker: the short answer

Pennsylvania uses "broker of record." 49 Pa. Code §35.201 uses that term for the broker responsible for a partnership, association or corporation, and the State Real Estate Commission within the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs administers the licensing scheme.

What is the supervising broker called in Pennsylvania?

Broker of record. 49 Pa. Code §35.201 uses that term for the broker responsible for a partnership, association or corporation — one of the few states where the informal industry phrase is also the regulatory one.

When does a company generally need that role in Pennsylvania?

When brokerage is conducted through a partnership, association or corporation. §35.201 attaches the broker of record concept to those entity forms.

What entity or broker relationship must be confirmed?

That your entity form falls within the categories §35.201 addresses and that the intended broker of record holds an active Pennsylvania broker licence properly associated with it. Confirm the current filing requirements with the State Real Estate Commission.

What does the broker of record actually oversee in Pennsylvania?

Licensed activity conducted by the entity, including associated licensee supervision, advertising and records, along with escrow handling where client funds are involved, under Chapter 35 of the Pennsylvania Code.

What should a multi-state operator confirm before launching in Pennsylvania?

Entity eligibility under Chapter 35, who will be named broker of record, escrow arrangements, and what the Commission requires when that broker changes. Confirm with the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.

Official sources for Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs)
• 49 Pa. Code § 35.201 — Broker of record (Pennsylvania Code)

Licensing and supervision requirements can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. 50 State Brokerage is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any state agency.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-15. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This page is general information, not legal advice — confirm current rules with the state regulator or qualified counsel before acting.

Primary source for the Pennsylvania supervising-broker term

The section uses “broker of record” for the broker responsible for a partnership, association or corporation.

49 Pa. Code § 35.201 (Pennsylvania Code)

Checked 2026-08-12. See the supervising broker titles by state reference for how each jurisdiction's evidence status is recorded, and the comparison of supervising-broker titles for how the terms differ. General information, not legal advice.

Do I need a Pennsylvania broker for investment properties?

Yes. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission (PREC) requires every real estate company to have a licensed broker of record on file. 50 State Brokerage provides broker of record services throughout Pennsylvania, including the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros.

Do you cover both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh?

Yes — we provide full broker of record services in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the Lehigh Valley (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton), Harrisburg, and every other Pennsylvania market, with MLS access in Bright MLS and West Penn MLS.

Can you support property management in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania requires a broker license for property management activities including rent collection and tenant placement. 50 State Brokerage supplies the broker of record for PM operations across Pennsylvania with full PREC compliance and trust account oversight.

How does Pennsylvania broker licensing work?

Pennsylvania requires 240 hours of pre-licensing education for broker candidates — among the highest in the country. Candidates must also document 3 years of salesperson experience or equivalent, pass the state broker exam, and apply through the PALS (Pennsylvania Licensing System) portal. Processing typically takes 3–6 weeks.

What is the PALS portal in Pennsylvania?

PALS is the Pennsylvania Licensing System — the online portal where all real estate license applications, renewals, and entity registrations are filed with the State Real Estate Commission. Every brokerage entity operating in PA must be registered through PALS, with a designated broker of record attached.

How long does it take to get a Pennsylvania broker of record in place?

Self-licensing a broker in Pennsylvania typically takes 4–7 months given the 240-hour education requirement plus exam scheduling and PREC processing. Engaging a broker of record instead follows a different path — association of an already-licensed broker with your firm's filing at the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission rather than a new license application.

Can a salesperson upgrade to a broker license in Pennsylvania?

Yes. A licensed Pennsylvania salesperson can upgrade to broker after completing 240 hours of broker-specific pre-licensing education and documenting at least 3 years of full-time salesperson experience. The upgrade still requires passing the broker exam.

Does Pennsylvania require a physical office for the broker of record?

Pennsylvania requires a designated office location for each licensed brokerage entity, with proper signage and recordkeeping. 50 State Brokerage maintains a compliant PA office address that satisfies PREC requirements for client brokerages operating remote or distributed models.

Is Pennsylvania a strong market for build-to-rent and SFR investment?

Yes. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both offer institutional-grade SFR and BTR opportunities with attractive yields relative to coastal markets. The Lehigh Valley has become a top logistics and population-growth corridor, drawing investor demand. See our broker of record coverage on the Pennsylvania state page.